4,539 research outputs found
Empowering Rural Citizen Journalism Via Web 2.0 Technologies
Once acquainted with the modern information and communication tools made available with the advent of the Internet, five Brazilian rural communities participating in a pilot project to develop a self-sustaining telecenter model, engaged in citizen journalism using inexpensive digital video cameras. Community members used Web 2.0 collaborative tools to post short videos on the telecenter portal. The 95 video blogs published between September 2006 and May 2008 recorded various aspects of community life,including religious celebrations,oral history arts and crafts traditions,folklore,and envirnmental concerns. This study evaluates the impact of video blogging in these communities
A Fixed Point VHDL Component Library for a High Efficiency Reconfigurable Radio Design Methodology
Advances in Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) technologies enable the implementation of reconfigurable radio systems for both ground and space applications. The development of such systems challenges the current design paradigms and requires more robust design techniques to meet the increased system complexity. Among these techniques is the development of component libraries to reduce design cycle time and to improve design verification, consequently increasing the overall efficiency of the project development process while increasing design success rates and reducing engineering costs. This paper describes the reconfigurable radio component library developed at the Software Defined Radio Applications Research Center (SARC) at Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) Microwave and Communications Branch (Code 567). The library is a set of fixed-point VHDL components that link the Digital Signal Processing (DSP) simulation environment with the FPGA design tools. This provides a direct synthesis path based on the latest developments of the VHDL tools as proposed by the BEE VBDL 2004 which allows for the simulation and synthesis of fixed-point math operations while maintaining bit and cycle accuracy. The VHDL Fixed Point Reconfigurable Radio Component library does not require the use of the FPGA vendor specific automatic component generators and provide a generic path from high level DSP simulations implemented in Mathworks Simulink to any FPGA device. The access to the component synthesizable, source code provides full design verification capability
Ten years-snapshot of the occurrence of emerging contaminants in drinking, surface and ground waters and wastewaters from SĂŁo Paulo state, Brazil
Emerging contaminants have been considered one of the main concerns for ensuring the quality of water around the world. This work presents the results of 10 years of analyses carried out in the state of São Paulo (Brazil) that has the high population density and intense agricultural and industrial activities. In this work 58 compounds (9 hormones, 14 pharmaceuticals and personal care products, 8 industrial compounds, 17 pesticides and 10 illicit drugs) were determined from 2006 to 2015 in 708 samples including raw and treated sewage, surface and ground and drinking waters. A preliminary risk assessment for aquatic life protection identified potential risks for caffeine, paracetamol, diclofenac, 17ι-ethynylestradiol, 17β-estradiol, estriol, estrone, testosterone, triclosan, 4-n-nonylphenol, bisphenol A, atrazine, azoxystrobin, carbendazim, fipronil, imidacloprid, malathion and tebuconazole. Drinking water criteria were available only for 22 compounds and for them no adverse effects were expected at the concentrations found, except for 17β-estradiol
Agentes de mudança na biodiversidade e serviços ecossistĂŞmicos na APA Sistema Cantareira: Uma anĂĄlise prospectiva da implementação de polĂticas pĂşblicas
The lack of implementation of well-designed public policies aimed at the conservation of natural ecosystems has resulted, at a global level, in the decline of ecosystem functioning and, consequently, of the contributions they make to people. The poor enforcement of important environmental legislation in Brazil-for instance, the âAtlantic Forest Lawâ (Law n.11.428/2006) and the âForest Codeâ (Law n.12.651/2012)-could compromise the overall maintenance of ecosystems and the services they provide. To explore the implications of different levels of federal lawsâ enforcement within the Cantareira System Protected Area (PA)-a PA in southeastern Brazil that provides fresh water for 47% of the Sao Paulo Metropolitan Area-, we developed a conceptual framework to identify indirect and direct drives of biodiversity and ecosystem changes. We also projected four land-use scenarios to 2050 to test the effects of deforestation control and forest restoration practices on biodiversity and ecosystem services maintenance: the âbusiness-as-usualâ scenario (BAU), which assumes that all trends in land-use cover changes observed in the past will continue in the future, and three alternative exploratory scenarios considering the Atlantic Forest Law implementation, the partial implementation of the Forest Code and the full implementation of the Forest Code. Using the land-use maps generated for each scenario, we assessed the impacts of land-use changes on biodiversity conservation and soil retention. Our results revealed all alternative scenarios could increase biodiversity conservation (by 7%; 12%; and 12%, respectively), reduce soil loss (by 24.70%; 34.70%; and 38.12%, respectively) and sediment exportation to water (by 27.47%; 55.06%; and 59.28%, respectively), when compared to the BAU scenario. Our findings highlight the importance of restoring and conserving native vegetation for the maintenance and improvement of biodiversity conservation and for the provision of ecosystem services.A falta de implementação de polĂticas pĂşblicas voltadas para a conservação ambiental, tem resultado, em nĂvel global, em impactos sobre a biodiversidade e o funcionamento dos ecossistemas e, consequentemente, na contribuição da natureza para as pessoas. A aplicação inadequada de importantes de leis ambientais no Brasil, como por exemplo, a âLei da Mata Atlânticaâ (Lei nÂş 11.428 / 2006) e o âCĂłdigo Florestalâ (Lei nÂş 12.651 / 2012), podem comprometer a manutenção dos ecossistemas e dos serviços que eles fornecem. Neste estudo, nĂłs desenvolvemos um mapa conceitual que busca identificar causas diretas e indiretas de mudanças â agentes de mudança â na biodiversidade e na provisĂŁo de serviços ecossistĂŞmicos relacionados ao solo e Ă ĂĄgua, na Ărea de Proteção Ambiental (APA) Sistema Cantareira. A APA Sistema Cantareira, localizada no sudeste do Brasil, fornece ĂĄgua potĂĄvel para 47% da RegiĂŁo Metropolitana de SĂŁo Paulo. AlĂŠm da abordagem conceitual, nĂłs projetamos quatro cenĂĄrios de mudança no uso da terra para o ano de 2050, a fim de analisar o impacto de diferentes nĂveis de aplicação de leis federais: o cenĂĄrio âbusiness-as-usualâ (BAU), que pressupĂľe que as tendĂŞncias na mudança de uso da terra observadas no passado continuarĂŁo no futuro, e trĂŞs cenĂĄrios alternativos, considerando a implementação da Lei da Mata Atlântica, a implementação parcial do CĂłdigo Florestal e a implementação completa do CĂłdigo Florestal. A partir dos mapas de uso da terra gerados, avaliamos os impactos de cada cenĂĄrio na conservação da biodiversidade, na retenção de solos e na exportação de sedimentos para os corpos dâĂĄgua. Nossos resultados mostraram que os trĂŞs cenĂĄrios alternativos podem aumentar a conservação da biodiversidade (em 7%; 12%; e 12%, respectivamente), reduzir a perda de solo (em 24,70%; 34,70%; e 38,12%, respectivamente) e reduzir a exportação de sedimentos para a ĂĄgua (em 27,47 %; 55,06%; e 59,28%, respectivamente), quando comparados ao cenĂĄrio BAU. Este estudo destaca a importância da restauração e conservação da vegetação nativa para a manutenção da biodiversidade e melhoria na provisĂŁo de serviços ecossistĂŞmicos relacionados ao solo e Ă ĂĄgua, em uma regiĂŁo estratĂŠgica para o abastecimento de ĂĄgua no Brasil.Fil: Dib, Viviane. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Nalon, Marco AurĂŠlio. Estado de SĂŁo Paulo. Secretaria de Infraestrutura e Meio ambiente. Instituto Florestal; BrasilFil: Amazonas, Nino Tavares. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Vidal, Cristina Yuri. Universidade do Sao Paulo. Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz; BrasilFil: Ortiz RodrĂguez, IvĂĄn A.. Scuola Normale Superiore. Classe di Scienze; ItaliaFil: Danek, Jan. Czech Academy of Sciences; RepĂşblica ChecaFil: Oliveira, MaĂra Formis de. Estado de SĂŁo Paulo. Secretaria de Agricultura e Abastecimento; BrasilFil: Alberti, Paola. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂŠcnicas. Centro CientĂfico TecnolĂłgico Conicet - TucumĂĄn. Instituto de Biodiversidad Neotropical. Universidad Nacional de TucumĂĄn. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo. Instituto de Biodiversidad Neotropical. Instituto de Biodiversidad Neotropical; ArgentinaFil: Silva, Rafaela Aparecida da. Universidade Federal de GoiĂĄs; BrasilFil: Precinoto, RaĂza SalomĂŁo. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Gomes, Taciana Figueiredo. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasi
Environmental factors can influence dengue reported cases
Introduction: Global climate changes directly affect the natural environment and contribute to an increase in the transmission of diseases by vectors. Among these diseases, dengue is at the top of the list. The aim of our study was to understand the consequences of temporal variability of air temperature in the occurrence of dengue in an area comprising seven municipalities of the Greater Sao Paulo. Method: Characterization of a temporal trend of the disease in the region between 2010 and 2013 was performed through analysis of the notified number of dengue cases over this period. Our analysis was complemented with meteorological (temperature) and pollutant concentration data (PM10). Results: We observed that the months of January, February, March, April and May (from 2010 to 2013) were the ones with the highest number of notified cases. We also found that there is a statistical association of moisture and PM10 with the reported cases of dengue. Conclusion: Although the temperature does not statistically display an association with recorded cases of dengue, we were able to verify that temperature peaks coincide with dengue outbreak peaks. Future studies on environmental pollution and its influence on the development of Aedes aegypti mosquito during all stages of its life cycle, and the definition of strategies for better monitoring, including campaigns and surveillance, would be compelling.ABC, FM, Santo Andre, SP, BrazilCoimbra Hlth Sch, Environm Hlth IPC, EsTesC, Coimbra, PortugalEsTesC, Coimbra Hlth Sch, Dept Ciencias Complementares IPC, Coimbra, PortugalFMABC, Gestao Saude Ambiental, Santo Andre, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo Unifesp, Biol Sci Dept, Diadema, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo Unifesp, Biol Sci Dept, Diadema, SP, BrazilWeb of Scienc
CaracterizaciĂłn de los patrones cinesiolĂłgicos de la patada frontal, maeÂ-geri, en practicantes expertos de kĂĄrate y en sujetos no practicantes
[ES] Actualmente, los entrenadores e investigadores necesitan comprender bien los parĂĄmetros cinesiolĂłgicos del movimiento ya que son una herramienta importante de soporte de las metodologĂas de entrenamiento y enseĂąanza, y para mejorar el rendimiento de los gestos motores. El objetivo de este estudio fue (i) identificar los patrones cinemĂĄticos y del control neuromuscular de ejecuciĂłn de la patada frontal (maeÂgeri) en un objetivo fijo, realizada por 14 karatecas cinturĂłn negro, (ii) y comparar con la ejecuciĂłn del mismo gesto tĂŠcnico realizada por 16 participantes sin prĂĄctica o experiencia en kĂĄrate, siendo posible el uso de esos datos en anĂĄlisis del entrenamiento y del proceso de aprendizaje del kĂĄrate. Se verificĂł que la actividad cinemĂĄtica y neuromuscular de ejecuciĂłn de esta patada sucede en un espacio temporal de 600ms. La actividad muscular y cinemĂĄtica evidencia la existencia de una norma secuencial temporal de intervenciĂłn segmentar con un sentido prĂłximoâdistal, donde los mĂşsculos estudiados tienen dos momentos distintos de actividad (perĂodos 1, 2). En el anĂĄlisis electromiogrĂĄfico (EMG), el grupo de karatekas presenta una mayor intensidad de activaciĂłn (root mean square â RMS) y de pico de actividad en el mĂşsculo RectusFemoris (RF1) y VastusLateralis (VL1), y menor tiempo de contracciĂłn en ambos perĂodos en las relaciones entre los mĂşsculos RectusFemorisâBicepsFemoris e VastusLateralisâBicepsFemoris.En la realizaciĂłn de esta acciĂłn motora, los movimientos segmentares de flexiĂłn de muslo, de extensiĂłn de la pierna y de flexiĂłn plantar del tobillo fueron realizados con menor amplitud angular (range of action â ROA) por los karatekas, reflejando diferentes posicionamientos de los segmentos entre grupos. En conclusiĂłn, existe un patrĂłn cinesiolĂłgico general, semejante entre practicantes y no practicantes de kĂĄrate. En el grupo de karatecas el entrenamiento induce una especializaciĂłn de la actividad muscular, reflejada en los resultados del EMG y de la cinemĂĄtica de movimiento, produciendo una mejor acciĂłn balĂstica en la ejecuciĂłn del maeÂgeri, que en asociaciĂłn con una velocidad mĂĄxima de los segmentos distales, alcanzada cerca del momento del impacto, puede traducirse en un impacto mĂĄs potente.[EN] Presently, coaches and researchers need to have a better comprehension of the kinesiological parameters that should be an important tool to support teaching methodologies and to improve skills performance in sports. The aim of this study was to (i) identify the kinematic and neuromuscular control patterns of the front kick (maeÂgeri) to a fixed target performed by 14 experienced karate practitioners, and (ii) compare it with the execution of 16 participants without any karate experience, allowing the use of those references in the analysis of the training and learning process. Results showed that the kinematic and neuromuscular activity during the kick performance occurs within 600 ms. Muscle activity and kinematic analysis demonstrated a sequence of activation bracing a proximalâtoâdistal direction, with the muscles presenting two distinct periods of activity (1, 2), where the karateka group has a greater intensity of activation â root mean square (RMS) and electromyography (EMG) peak â in the first period on RectusFemoris (RF1) and VastusLateralis(VL1) and a lower duration of coâcontraction in both periods onRectusFemorisâBicepsFemoris and VastusLateralisâBicepsFemoris (RFâBF; VLâBF). In the skill performance, the hip flexion, the knee extension and the ankle plantar flexion movements were executed with smaller difference in the range of action (ROA) in the karateka group, reflecting different positions of the segments. In conclusion, it was observed a general kinesiological pattern, which was similar in karateka and nonâkarateka practitioners. However, in the karateka group, the training induces a specialization in the muscle activity reflected in EMG and kinematic data, which leads to a better ballistic performance in the execution of the maeÂgerikick, associated with a maximum speed of the distal segments, reached closer to the impact moment, possibly representing more power in the contact.[PT] Actualmente, treinadores e investigadores necessitam de compreender bem os parâmetros cinesiolĂłgicos do movimento porque sĂŁo uma ferramenta importante de suporte das metodologias de treino e ensino, e para melhorar a performance dos gestos motores. O objective deste estudo foi (i) identificar os padrĂľes cinemĂĄticos e de controlo neuromuscular da execução do pontapĂŠ frontal (maeÂgeri) num alvo fixo e realizado por 14 karatecas cinto negro, (ii) e comparar com a execução do mesmo gesto tĂŠcnico realizada por 16 participantes sem qualquer prĂĄtica ou experiĂŞncia de karate, tornando possĂvel o uso desses dados na analise do treino e do processo de aprendizagem do karate. Verificouâse que a actividade cinemĂĄtica e neuromuscular na execução deste pontapĂŠ acontece num espaço temporal de 600ms. A actividade muscular e cinemĂĄtica evidencia a existĂŞncia de um padrĂŁo sequencial temporal de intervenção segmentar com um sentido prĂłximoâdistal, onde os mĂşsculos estudados tĂŞm dois distintos momentos de actividade (perĂodos 1, 2). Na anĂĄlise electromiografia (EMG), o grupo de karatecas apresenta uma maior intensidade de activação (rootmeansquareâ RMS) e de pico de actividade no musculo RectusFemoris (RF1) eVastusLateralis (VL1), e menor tempo de cocontração em ambos os perĂodos nas relaçþes entre os mĂşsculos RectusFemorisâ BicepsFemorise VastusLateralisâ BicepsFemoris.Na realização desta acção motora, os movimentos segmentares de flexĂŁo da coxa, de extensĂŁo da perna e de flexĂŁo plantar do tornozelo foram realizados com menor amplitude angular (range of action â ROA) pelos karatecas, reflectindo diferentes posicionamentos dos segmentos entre grupos. Em conclusĂŁo, existe um padrĂŁo cinesiolĂłgico geral, semelhante entre praticantes de karate e nĂŁo praticantes de karate. Todavia, no grupo de karatecas o treino induz uma especialização da actividade muscular, reflectida pelos resultados do EMG e da cinemĂĄtica do movimento, o que conduz a uma melhor acção balĂstica na execução do maeÂgeri, em associação com um mĂĄximo de velocidade dos segmentos distais, alcançado prĂłximo do instante do impacto, o que poderĂĄ traduzirâse num impacto mais potente
Characterization of kinesiological patterns of the frontal kick, mae-geri, in karate experts and non-karate practitioners
Presently, coaches and researchers need to have a better comprehension of the kinesiological parameters that should be an important tool to support teaching methodologies and to improve skills performance in sports. The aim of this study was to (i) identify the kinematic and neuromuscular control patterns of the front kick (mae-geri) to a fixed target performed by 14 experienced karate practitioners, and (ii) compare it with the execution of 16 participants without any karate experience, allowing the use of those references in the analysis of the training and learning process. Results showed that the kinematic and neuromuscular activity during the kick performance occurs within 600 ms. Muscle activity and kinematic analysis demonstrated a sequence of activation bracing a proximal-to-distal direction, with the muscles presenting two distinct periods of activity (1, 2), where the karateka group has a greater intensity of activation â root mean square (RMS) and electromyography (EMG) peak â in the first period on Rectus Femoris (RF1) and Vastus Lateralis (VL1) and a lower duration of co-contraction in both periods on Rectus Femoris-Biceps Femoris and Vastus Lateralis-Biceps Femoris (RF-BF; VL-BF). In the skill performance, the hip flexion, the knee extension and the ankle plantar flexion movements were executed with smaller difference in the range of action (ROA) in the karateka group, reflecting different positions of the segments. In conclusion, it was observed a general kinesiological pattern, which was similar in karateka and non-karateka practitioners. However, in the karateka group, the training induces a specialization in the muscle activity reflected in EMG and kinematic data, which leads to a better ballistic performance in the execution of the mae-geri kick, associated with a maximum speed of the distal segments, reached closer to the impact moment, possibly representing more power in the contact
Commentaries on Viewpoint: The ongoing need for good physiological investigation: Obstructive sleep apnea in HIV patients as a paradigm
The final publication is available via http://dx.doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00989.2014[Abstract] The intriguing paradigm put forth by Darquenne et al. (3) highlighted that improved therapy against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has come at the cost of elevated rates of chronic diseases, such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and obesity, during the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) era.Ministerio de EconomĂa y Competitividad;
TIN2013-40686-P
Investigating Early/Middle Bronze Age Copper and Bronze Axes by Micro X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry and Neutron Imaging Techniques
Micro X-ray fluorescence (micro-XRF) analysis and neutron imaging techniques, namely 2D radiography and 3D tomography, have been applied for the study of four metal axes from the Early/Middle Bronze Age in Western Iberia, a period characterized by a metallurgical change in the use of copper to bronze. Micro-XRF analysis has shown that one of the axes was produced in copper with some arsenic while the other three were produced in a copper-tin alloy (bronze) with variable tin contents and some arsenic and lead. Neutron radiography and tomographywere applied to study internal heterogeneities of the axes in a non-invasiveway since the specificities of neutron interaction with matter allow a suitable penetration of these relatively thick copper-based objects when compared to the use of a conventional X-ray radiography. Neutron imaging allowed the visualization of internal fissures and pores and the evaluation of their distribution, size and shape. Relevant information for the reconstruction of ancient manufacturing techniques was gathered, revealing that one ax was produced with the mold in an angle of â25°, probably to facilitate gas escape during metal pouring. Also, information regarding physical weaknesses of the axes was collected, providing relevant data for their conservation.
Novelty statement: The present paper combines the use of micro-XRF and neutron imaging techniques, namely (2D) radiography and (3D) tomography for the study of prehistoric metal axes. The XRF spectra allowed identifying major and minor elements present in the alloys, inferring on the absence of elements that could become radioactive for a long period of time after irradiation with neutrons. The specificities of neutron interaction with matter allowed a suitable penetration of these relatively thick copper-based objects when compared to the use of a conventional X-ray radiography.
The combination of these non-destructive techniques allowed the evaluation of the metal composition and the
internal structure of the axes. Micro-XRF allowed the distinction among copper and bronze axes, and provided data about the composition of early bronzes for which data is scarce. The neutron imaging study allowed for the first timethe visualization of internal heterogeneities in early bronze axes, namely pores and large voids, providing relevant information for the reconstruction of ancient manufacturing techniques and raising pertinent information regarding physical weaknesses of these types of objects.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Search for the standard model Higgs boson in the H to ZZ to 2l 2nu channel in pp collisions at sqrt(s) = 7 TeV
A search for the standard model Higgs boson in the H to ZZ to 2l 2nu decay
channel, where l = e or mu, in pp collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 7
TeV is presented. The data were collected at the LHC, with the CMS detector,
and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 4.6 inverse femtobarns. No
significant excess is observed above the background expectation, and upper
limits are set on the Higgs boson production cross section. The presence of the
standard model Higgs boson with a mass in the 270-440 GeV range is excluded at
95% confidence level.Comment: Submitted to JHE
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